Shopping / A2

SAYL/seɪl/

A sale is a time when a shop sells things at a lower price: in the sale, the January sales, on sale. On sale can mean available to buy, or reduced, depending on context; in the sale clearly means cheaper in British shops. Sale is also the act of selling: a house sale. Sail is a boat word — a common spelling mix-up. Do not confuse sale with sell (the verb).

Meaning

A time when a shop sells things at a lower price, or the act of selling.

Examples

• “The shoes are cheaper in the sale.”
• “These coats are cheaper in the sale.”
• “The shop has a sale on winter boots.”

Good to know

in the sale / the sales. on sale. Verb: sell. Not sail (boats).

Topics

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